Justice News

Four More Defendants Sentenced In Major Methamphetamine Conspiracy

Next Sentencings Set for June 7, 2013

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — On Friday, May 17, 2013, four additional defendants, who pleaded guilty to their respective roles in a major methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that operated in Wichita Falls, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

The following defendants were sentenced on Friday:

Anthony DiPalma, 32, sentenced to 188 months

Jason Brent Hoffman, 36, sentenced to 120 months

Debra McCulloch, 59, sentenced to 50 months

McKayla Fondren, 21, sentenced to 24 months

DiPalma and Fondren each pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. Hoffman admitted being a felon in possession of a firearm and McCulloch pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute and to possess with intent to manufacture and manufacture methamphetamine.

DiPalma admitted that on March 28, 2012, he possessed with intent to distribute and distributed five grams or more of methamphetamine.

Hoffman, who has both state and federal drug convictions, admitted that in October 2011, he possessed a 9 mm pistol, which he sold to an undercover agent.

McCulloch admitted that on multiple occasions between June and September 2012, she distributed, and facilitated the ability of co-conspirators, to distribute methamphetamine. She also admitted allowing co-defendants Steve Ysasaga and David Calandreli to store quantities of methamphetamine, as well as proceeds from the sale of the methamphetamine, at her residence on 30th Street in Wichita Falls.

Fondren admitted that in June 2012, when officers with the Wichita Falls Police Department executed a state search warrant at her residence on Dee Drive in Wichita Falls, they found more than 15 grams of methamphetamine, as well as a digital scale and a small tub of MSM, a substance used to dilute or cut methamphetamine.

Several more defendants convicted in the conspiracy are scheduled to be sentenced on June 7, 2013. To date, 29 of the 30 defendants charged in this conspiracy have entered guilty pleas; a total of 19 defendants have been sentenced. The case against one defendant has not been resolved.

This Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Wichita Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary F. Walters is in charge of the prosecution.